Brotherhood of the "Fêlés du Grand Colombier"

THE GRAND COLOMBIER

In the south of the Jura mountains, the Grand Colombier (1534m high) overlooks lake Bourget and the Rhône river. It is the summit of the Bugey and the cross in its top can be seen from almost everywhere in the region.

For a long time, pedestrians used to enjoy this walk. At the top of the Grand Colombier you can admire: in the East the Swiss Jura, the Mont Blanc range, some Italian peaks, the Vanoise mountains, the Belledonne mountains; in the West expand the mountains of Bugey, the Dombes region and its thousand ponds, the plain of the Ain, the mountains of Beaujolais and Lyonnais, the Pilat mountains and the Rhone valley. We can also see the sparkling waters of the three great alpine lakes (Annecy, Geneva, Bourget). Since the beginning of the 70's, a road allows the passage of the "Grand Colombier pass" (1501m) where a path leads to the cross and to the viewpoint indicator. When the weather is fine, tourists are querring up to this place, which offers one of the best panoramas in the south Jura.

Carte Colombier

THE ROADS

carte colombier

Watch the Slopes

In the South-West : Artemare - Virieu le Petit - Granges de Fromentel - Colombier

D 31 - D 69 - D 120

length 15,9 km - slope 1243 m

average slope 7,81 % - maximum slope 22 %

This way is the steepest (19 % over 1,5 km - 12 % average over 4,5 km after Virieu le Petit). The road is often shade by firs.

In the North-East : Champagne - Lochieu - Granges de Fromentel - Grand Colombier

69f - D 69b - D 120

length 19,2 km - slope 1042 m

average slope 6,75 % - maximum slope 14 %

This is the easiest road. Even if there is a descent in the beginning, don't forget the 14% section after Lochieu. The slope is often in the shade of firs.

pince

In the South-East : Culoz-Carrefour D 120 - D 120a - Grand Colombier

D 120

length 18,3 km - slope 1262 m

average slope 6,89 % - maximum slope 14 %

The road is hewn in the rock, the heat is awful, but the view is wonderful from the very start of the slope. A smooth section halfway up gives time to get breath back between two 14 % sections.

pince

In the North-East : Anglefort-Carrefour D120a - D120 - Grand Colombier

D 120a - D 120

length 15,7 km - slope 1221 m

average slope 7,77 % - maximum slope 14 %

This is the way the least known but the steepest . There is some shade at the beginning and there is a difficult slope without "injury time" that makes it fearsome.

SUPPLYING

Shops and watering place in the beginning of every face. Snack at the top to Grand Colombier from may to october. Fountains in each village and in the Granges de Fromentel.

TO COME AT THE START

Col du Grand Colombier: 5°45'42.3 E - 45°54'12.3 N

https://goo.gl/maps/DL39Gfy9c1355f4A7

By road

¤ From Lyon (90 km) and Bourg en Bresse (80 km): motorway A42, exit Ambérieu en Bugey, then D 1504 and D 904

¤ From Chambéry (50 km) : D 1504 and D 904

By train

Virieu le Grand or Culoz .

carte carte

THE BROTHERHOOD - STATUTE

The brotherhood of the "Fêlés du Grand Colombier" is open to everyone who is at least 18 years old, climbing, in the same day, two, three or four faces, there and back, of the Grand Colombier by different sides riding (or pushing!) a bicycle propelled by the one and only muscular force..

The rider who achieves :

¤ two ascents (one on each estern et western slopes) will become a MEMBER.

¤ three ascents: MASTER.

¤ four ascents: GREAT MASTER

The cyclist, who hopes to achieve more than four ascents had better should think about it before...!

HOW TO JOIN

Subscription can be done directly online on this website or by postmail. Amount of subscription (First attempt: 8€ - Next Attempt 4€ - Postal dispach of the documents +5€). (see page "to register")

To ensure receiving your checking card on time, it is recommended to subscribe a few days before your attempt (two weeks for registration by mail). The candidate will receive by return of the mail a checking card (permanent validity) in which he must indicate his times of passage

In case of success, the new "Fêlé" will receive his nominal diploma and will be able, if he wishes, to order the medal , the tee Shirt or the cycling jersey of the brotherhood .

If you decide at the very last moment, contact me by email and I will send you the documents to print.

In any case, the subscription must reach me before your attempt. Any attempt made without prior registration cannot be approved.

PLACES TO CHECK OFF - Four options to validate your road map:

It is of course possible to "mix" the types of score. In any case, do not forget to indicate your time of passage on the map (remember to take a pencil).

1 / By buffering in a shop or administration:

At the start of each side: Artemare-Culoz-Champagne-Anglefort:

Stores - Post office - Town hall, etc...

At the top (only one compulsory check):

At the traveling snack bar at the top of the pass (open every day from 9 a.m. from May to September)

2 / With photos (in addition, it makes memories ...):

Take pictures of the starting villages and one at the top. For digital photos, send them to me by email.

3 / By pointing:

You will find red plastic "orienteering" type punching pliers clips on the back of the signs indicating the start of each climb. You can use them to certify your passage.

You will find those signs:

¤ In Artemare at the crossroads in the city center.

¤ In Champagne at the crossroads between the D30 and the D69f (route de Lochieu) at the northern exit of the village.

¤ In Culoz: in front of the "Maison du Vélo". Please note, the clip is attached to the wall of the "Maison du Vélo".

¤ At Anglefort: at the start of the Colombier road north of the village.

¤ At the top of the Colombier, a clip is attached to the back of the sign indicating the pass.

4 / By GPS reading:

You can attach acopy of your GPS statement to the route map.

EQUIPMENT

The equipment must anable you ranging to pass through, several times percentages from 14% to 22%, for slopes as well as for descents (don't forget to check your brakes). Don't forget the lightning if the departure is made by night and prepare some good shoes, they might be very useful ...!

SAFETY

The entrants must respect the highway code and the possible banning of circulation, they must, if it is necessary, possess a lightning in accordance to the norm. Because of the high percentage, it is not advisable to take the descent betwen "les granges de Fromentel" and "Virieu le Petit", so we recommend to go towards Lochieu and to turn on the right when you are in the "Bordézes" to join "Virieu le Petit". The entrants are strictly obliged to possess a National insurance. In the event of an accident, the brotherhood leader's responsability could not be involved. The road is usually open from Easter to the first snows (end of october). If you are afraid of finding snowbound roads: "conditions de circulation"

RATIFICATION

After the return of his stamped checking card (by email or mail), the new member will receive by email a numbered certificate, which is the proof of his rank inside the brotherhood.